Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan. PHOTO: INP
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has expressed concern over the situation in Karachi and other parts of Sindh after British police arrested Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday.
In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, Imran said he fully understood the anguish of the MQM workers at this difficult time but thought that it was absolutely unjustified for the MQM to bring Karachi to a standstill.
“It is not justified to disrupt the lives of the people of this metropolis and financial centre of the country, when it is the British authorities, who have taken legal action against a British citizen on charges of money laundering,” he said.
The PTI chief said the law would now take its course in the UK and the MQM leaders and workers needed to show patience and not punish the people of Pakistan for actions taken by the British government.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.
COMMENTS (61)
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Imran Khan and his twisted views, why doesnt IK protest in USA when he is angry with Americans, why does he tortures Pakistani Trucks on NATO duty why he doesnt torture USA trucks in USA, no body can make him understand ground realities because he himself never was a common man who starts from ground level, he always uses others to project him.
Tribune you are the dirtiest newspaper. With news of release of Altaf Bhai you have attached comments on news of his arrest dated 03.06.2014. And to add salt to injuries you have closed comments. You are made of bias.
So many anti IK comments on this article.. Just goes on to show that people love criticising him for the sake of it! Go and protest in London instead of disrupting lives of the people living in Karachi!
MQM should not disrupt life in Karachi, the financial hub of Pakistan. Any activity to halt life in Karachi is detrimental to Pakistan and thus is self destructive. The Government of Pakistan is not responsible for his arrest which is the sole jurisdiction of the British Government. If Altaf Hussain has not broken the British law then he will be free soon. He is a British citizen and the British Government will deal with him in a fair manner. Let justice take its course. I am sure that rational and reasonable MQM leadership understands and agrees that no one should be above the law.
@ all those pro-MQM commentators over here
You guys ar4e saying that Imran Khan should keep his mouth shut and taunting him about whatever is happening in KPK. Go and figure out and see by yourself what the residents of KPK say about PTI administration and then talk.
And please, stop acting as if MQM represents every Urdu Speaking. I am also an Urdu Speaking but honestly feel happy about what happened to Altaf Hussain in UK. Majority of my relatives hate Altaf Hussain and his criminal activities.
Urdu Speakings and Karachi suffered so much due to the criminal activities of MQM and I find it offensive when a person like Altaf Hussain acts like a representative of me or my loved ones, in fact I feel ashamed to call myself an Urdu Speaking due to the history of MQM and how it destroyed so many lives while raising ethnic slogans.
Its all fine here. Kudos to MQMites for keeping calm.
This is a dual face of the Britishers as usual .the whole world knows every unscrupulous tom ,sick and harry of any 3rd world country siphone off money and buys real estates in England including Nawaz, Zardari , Imran khan etc etc .Why don't they investigate them ? Why only Altaf Hussain .?
Mr Imran Khan, If you are so concerened about Karachi then Have you asked your MNA Dr. Arif Alvi and MPA Mr. Sher Zaman what they have done for the residents of Clifton who are suffering due to tussle for administratvie control on Clifton flyover and underpass between DHA and KMC???????? BTW I belong from the other side of the bridge.....
Readers/ Bloggers, In reality Karachi belongs to the people of Pakistan as any other city of their homeland.
The whole notion, principle, ideology of MQM is skewed. First of all how can one be a Muhajir ( Immigrant) if they have not migrated. No body remains a Muhajir after 66 years. The party leaders refer to one specific group of people ( ie an offspring who migrated from India only and settled in Karachi/ Hyderabad) If that is the case then why not called indian or hindustani muhajir. I only say this because we have Afghan Muhajirs, Bengali Muhajirs, some Central Russian Muhajirs etc
Also if MQM is a party of Muhajirs then why called as Mutahidda Qaumi Movement. MQM said that they were moving away from that agenda. They said they will represent middle class and lower middle class but why plead for one ethnic group.Probably to seek permission in the elections!
So those who did not settle in Karachi what are they called and why they don't call themselves as Muhajir?
Then who are the new Sindhis? Then who are Urdu speaking?
Also provinces of Pakistan were declared on the basis of ethnic origin ie based on the language spoken/ originated in those areas! Does Karachi has its own language? I know Bangladesh did?
Urdu is spoken all over Pakistan? in fact in India as well?
This just goes to show the confusion around identity and how it is exploited.
By the way where is Zulfiqar Mirza ? and Abid Sher Ali? We have not heard from them at all.
@ImrancAnt: A guy who cannot save himself how can he saves the lives of many Muhajirs in an other country 4000 km away.
@Timorlane: IS THIS TIMORLANE OR TIMORLAND? Could you please describe it. Then I can comment on you.
@Saleem: Before telling others first you should think if muslims of india were not struggling for Pakistan you might have been living as slaves of Hindus, thanks to Jinnah a proud Karachiite (he was not Punjabi, Sindhi, Pakhtun or Baloch) made Pakistan for Muslims not for the people of four provinces.
@Noman: Sham on you when you do not have a valid point to comment then doing mean act to criticize, it shows that what kind of cheap mindset you are from!!! Regards
Just think about the people on daily wages who are dying of hunger! All you guys can do is play the game of throwing dirt on each other, no body thinks or does anything for the betterment of this city and Pakistan. In these two days Losses worth billions of rupees to Pakistan are ofcourse not done by the people who love Pakistan!
@ImrancAnt: Totally ridiculous comments. If you guys still call yourselves Muhajirs, it means you still consider yourselves as non-Pakistanis. Grow up.
Dharna Master telling people not to disrupt normal activities and JI praising Western Judicial System.
Altaf Bhai should forthwith demand that his workers in Karachi should not disrupt the daily lives of ordinary people. If people of Karachi cannot earn, they cannot live - simple as that. I advise everyone to just wait and see whether Altaf Bhai is being fairly treated. If any lawyers thinks that he has no case to answer, he should contact Altaf Bhai and defend him in the courts. Pakistan Government should take steps against those who are creating havoc on a daily basis. Isn't there anyone to take an action and bring him or her to justice? The Government should take a lesson from British Government who do not turn a blind eye against law breakers. Ask the people of Karachi and they will point a finger at MQM supporters who are creating havoc for ordinary people.
Imran Khan should shut his mouth and focus on KPK. Mr. IK your comments do more damage than good to Khi,. Leave us alone
This Double face man supports Tailban ( Killer of Innocent People ) , They do not like Polio free Pakistan . They trade Drug , Their head cuts every Friday in Saudi Arabia, Girls can not study , women can not walk alone . He supports that criminal . He is Against Muhajirs .
Shame on this man .
do u guys really think MQM is promoting these kind of activities like burning buses etc .. i want u to recall BB assasination, i hope u know who is behind all these activities.
I am from karachi and belongs to urdu speaking family. We want peace and properity and no shutter downs in KARACHI. The truth is MQM is losing their popularity and it is about time when another political party takes over. For the sake of this country stop using this mahajir card and be united for this country.
MQM has done nothing but spread hatred all these years and because of MQM now everyone thinks all urdu speaking supports mqm and hence urdu speaking people are being draggged for no reason. The truth is not all urdu speaking supports mqm.
And it is great someone is talking truth....well done IK u r the hope for karachiites.
MQM are terrorists and ethnic racists who openly preach hatred against Pukhtoons, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch people. Pakistan government should ban all communal and ethnic extremists which try to disunite the people of Pakistan. Imran Khan is 100% correct. How can MQM operate in a country in which it preaches and practices violence against 90% of its population based on race, ethnicity, and language?
Good job by British government. MQM should be banned.
I think IK satement is in favor of MQM an their worker, and I think first time IK speak in favor of MQM, MQM, please dont take it on your heart...
@I Own Karachi: You are right this Fazool Khan must concentrate on the most mismanaged province of KPK and stay far away from us, the Karachites. We do not wish to be contaminated with his kind of hypocritical, selfish-natured person. We are happy with our leadership and can manage our affairs without his silly little advice, he mus concern himself to the joyrides of Tareen's largess at the cost of shareholders money on company plane.
I think he is right to say that MQM is punishing the people of Pakistan for British actions. They have captured their own citizen for violating the British Laws. Now the British authorities have every right and will prosecute AH accordingly. Thats whats the problem of living in a civilized world. You have to follow the law of the land dear
@Naqvi: i thank you for your comment. Hopefully in the future you might support IK and the PTI cause.
Imran Khan does not understand the Peshawarwalas nor the karachiwalas! These people are not worried about the man but the money which was being transmitted to them from their relatives working in the UK. This appears to have been lost in transit, due to the laundering process. This is why Pakistan Government officials should intervene to get the honest earned money return to the rightfuls. The Brits keep the MQM chief as before!!
Rex Minor
The only leader from a major party to speak against unjustifiable acts of MQM. Peaceful protest is one thing, but burning vehicles\tires and bringing standstill to entire economic activities of Karachi is not justified in any case.
i think PTI showed some courage to make this much needed statement. You have look above your own political gain/loss and stand up against whats harmful for the country. A single day of shut down in karachi brings billions in loss to this country.
i may not be a PTI follower but i here i fully agree with IK.
First of all i urge you MQM people to do not ever use this word mohajir. If you want to call yourself Mohajir it is ok but do not include other URDU Speaking people in your ill visioned campaigns.
WE ARE NOT MOHAJJIRS. WE ARE PAKISTANI AND PROUD OF PAKISTANI.
Don't underestimate the power of Muhajirs (The Real Pakistani) ;)
Dear Dharna Khan
Where are you when people of Karachi suffer due to discriminatory government policies? Despite of fact that Karachi is financial hub and around 80% revenue generated alone by Karachi, no mega project for Karachi in last six years!! Mega projects belongs only for the cities where brothels of political elites are located..
If strikes and closure reminds people about Karachi's importance, let it be.
Imran is concern about the situation in Karachi But what about the situation in FATA, Bunner and KPK. Did or are you concern about the bad governance and injustices, corruption and killing? This man is the puppet in the hand of those who had played with several before. Your Governance is seems fail in KPK and you are busy in dirty propaganda and street politics.
It might help Imran Khan to remain silent and pretend nothing happened when he got caught by the US Customs & Border Control with a lot of cash on him and his companions like Fauzia Kasuri. I'm sure that they can produce names of donors and their sources also over there.
@ImrancAnt: He may have hurt you're feelings but he hasn't hurt your family, the same can't be said of MQM supporters. Don't try to play politics by calling yourself mohajir.
Thanks Imran khan for raising concern on Karachi situation for the first time. City needs to get rid of these criminals.
Disappointed at heartless comments directed towards the ethnicity of MQM. This is what IK does not want-we are ALL pakistanis and full stop. IK is the ONLY real leader who gives direction-the rest are still trying to figure out how to fill their banks while MQM is down.
Dharna man asking people not to do dharna. Imran khan has copy rights of all dharnas in Pakistan.
It is shocking that after 66 years of independence, Pakistani's still don't get the meaning of independence. Pakistan on day of its creation made all Muslims Pakistanis regardless of their geographical location. Radcliffe Line was a absurd effort to divide Hindustan into two countries. Everyone was Hindustani before separation and became Indian or Pakistani based on his/her own decision to choose from these newly erected countries.
So how does one become a native Pakistani and how does one become an immigrant? And what gives one Pakistani a right to ask another to move back to their land or accept him as the authentic Pakistani where as putting a stigmata on others as second class citizens?
Down and out in the global race. Known to be masters of lies and deceit. Known to spread malice through hate preaching, suicidal bombings, vicious politics. Known to demand aid every year as their God gifted right. In which world of fantasies do Pakistani's live?
It is time that Pakistani's throw their false assumptions of mighty Islamic Kingdom which needs to meddle in everyone's affairs and accepts itself as a third world country struggling to keep its existence. The sooner ... the better.
Question to all how many of us think we are Pakistani? We feel pride in saying ourselves Punjabi, Mohajirs, Sindhi, Baloch, Pushtun etc. One has hatred towards the other. It is the responsibility of each person to put Pakistan First and try its best to represent it in whatever form they are working. @Saleem @Imran Ant @MK request you to stop all this blame game. We all are learned people and know the status, style and functioning of each political party in Pakistan, one is more worse than the other or else Pakistan would have been a different country today. Time for all us to think what we are doing wrong as a nation and work towards the betterment of our dear country because individuals are not important but PAKISTAN is.
The slaves of Karachi have been graciously allowed by the Mafia to resume earning their livelihood (until further notice)
Rabitta committie has anounced that Altaf hussain has sustained injury due to injection given to him in the hospital. Tomorrow Karachi will be shut down. Yes, i am a sane guy.
@ridiclousness: Like your name, stop posting ridiculous comments. IK's darnas are always peaceful while MQM members do the damage first and hold peaceful processions later.
@ImrancAnt: Please leave us Muhajirs alone. We are not part of MQM and it doesnot represent the Muhajirs. We muhajirs are no killers and bhatta collectors.
@ImrancAnt:
How exactly asking people to remain calm on the actions of another government is hurting the feeling of people of Karachi? A British citizen is arrested in Britain after committing a crime. What do we have to do with it?
Well done IK. Thank you for highlighting MQM's goonda culture.
Imran! There is nothing wrong with Karachi. Rather than show concern for Karachi, where you are not wanted, do something for the FBR and help them collect taxes from the rich. You will be doing a favor to the PMLN and the FBR, in balancing the fiscal deficits. Shout against the new taxes and not about Karachi. Salams
Mr Talban Khan,
If you close peshwar for NETO Container it is ok , Block Clifton road ok , Block Islamabad Ok ,
People know you now . Who are you .
People of Karachi Know what to do . Do not take pain for us . See your Province .
@ImrancAnt
You kind of people divide a country...Immi is talking abt peace. How u r supporting a guy who is not in Pakistan and caught in illegal activities.
"It is not justified to disrupt the lives of the people" Well, Well, Well.... O seriously its you Immy??
@ImrancAnt:
What you are today is because of Pakistan. If you have any doubt then ask your forfathers what were they in India, you would not have been any better.
@ImrancAnt: From your English Language skills, it is clear that u belong to MQM :) feel sorry for u!
@ImranAnt : You guys better get a life ! Its not about mohair or punjabi ! Its about being PAKISTANI !!! Do accept that MQM is behind all this closing of business, and havoc that was created ! And your chief is doing nothing for the safety, rather WEAPONIZING Karachi !
He is expressing concern only on the forced closure of business since the last 2 days. Where has the sense gone? READ again please!
I live near Britto Road and we know how painful it is to block roads plus with our businesses closed.
@ImrancAnt: I think IK has took comprehensive view on MQM issue it may hurt MQM followers but there are many more Pakistani those are not followers , any other statement may hurt rest of Pakistan.
Thats what the whole government should have said, rather than going all the way to the British High Commission !
Immy K telling people to stop dharnas LOL
Imran you have hurt the feelings of the people of Karachi by making a statement which is insulting to mohajirs. Because of altaf Bhai mohajirs are safe today in Sind and can call Pakistan their own country.